Prem Sarin, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, colleague, neighbor, and friend passed away on January 9, 2017.

Prem was born in Gurdaspur district of Punjab, India. After losing his father at a very early age, he, along with his mother Maya Devi and sister Bimla depended on the generosity of his maternal uncles. Soon he began to be self reliant and developed a fiercely independent personality. As a youth, he worked several part time jobs to support his family without sacrificing his love of education. He went on to earn master’s degrees from Punjab University and Delhi University. From very modest beginnings, he went on to serve as a senior officer in the Ministry of Industries in the Government of India.

After retiring from government service, Prem immersed himself in volunteering his time in civic and humanitarian organizations. Even after he migrated to Canada in his sixties, he remained active as a volunteer while serving in leadership roles in civic and community organizations.

All his life, Prem led a life of high character and moral values, compassion, perseverance, and independence. He also instilled these values in his children and grandchildren. He always had time to share his wisdom with anyone who sought it. His reputation for careful listening, critical thinking, impartial judgment and commitment to confidentiality attracted many from his extended family and friends to seek his counsel when confronted with life’s major decisions.

Prem is survived by Mira, his wife of over 60 years; son Sanjiv and daughter in law Ratna of Greensboro, North Carolina, USA; daughter Prerna and son in law Anil Gambhir of New Delhi, India; daughter Punita and son in law Dinesh Virmani of Toronto, Canada; grandson Mohak and grand daughter in law Isha; and grandchildren Rohan, Aarti, Molly, Pooja and Roma; and sister Bimla Kohli of Beas, Punjab, India.

Funeral services will be held at Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre in Toronto on Saturday January 14 at 11:00 AM. Shanti Path will be held on Sunday January 15 at 3:30 PM at the Arya Samaj Vedic Cultural Centre in Markham. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Scarborough Hospital Foundation in Toronto or Arya Samaj Vedic Cultural Centre in Markham using the link below.